Good morning!
Bachelor reunion? Thoughts? Rosalyn – holy cow – talk about delusional! Why on earth would you go on national television and expose yourself as a complete liar (and a terrible one at that!)? She made me want to throw things at the television… Oh also, I really like Allie after last night! She came across as a very strong, smart and completely “with it” individual – which I didn’t see at all on the show. I’d totally be her friend in real life. 
Alrighty, lets move onto the EATS. They were grand this a.m. – Almond Butter & Banana Oats!
In the mix:
- 1/3 cup old fashioned oats
- 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze
- 1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds
- cinnamon
- 1 banana (1/2 sliced in while cooking, 1/2 on top)
- Almond butter
OH YEAH!
This was my first time cooking stove-top oatmeal with chia seeds, and it was a breeze. I added them when the oats were just about done cooking.
In goes the cinnamon too (minus the near panic attack from thinking I added chili powder instead of cinnamon – doesn’t that look extra orange to you?!)
And viola!
I actually put this in my to-go container (there’s a lid that goes with this bowl) so I could eat it at work – but it smelled SO good, and the enticement of almond butter was SO strong…I couldn’t resist.
No regrets – this was a darn near perfect breakfast! The oats were super chewy and the chia seeds lent a nice little “pop”.
By the way – I don’t think it’s in my head – but I feel really good on the days I eat chia seeds. My energy levels, which was the thing I was most looking forward to seeing an improvement in, seem to be really level, if not up. I really like ‘em, guys!
Ugh, drool, almond butter. I contemplated going back for a second spoonful, but I cut myself off. That Trader Joe’s AB will only last so long, you know. I’m down to one more jar left in the reserves. omg no! I just checked – I’m ON my last jar of the reserves!! Must.figure.out.restocking.plan.ASAP.
For lunch, I’m rockin’ a Tuna Salad Sandwich and some fresh pineapple.
Seriously – this tuna salad is A+. Nay, A++. It would also be really good with the addition of chopped celery or apples!
Thin buns freeze really well, by the way. Since they’re so “thin” they defrost on the counter in like 2 minutes, or you can just nuke them for 10 seconds, or so. I’ll be toasting mine for my tuna salad sandwich.
And the freshness!
Hmmm, this lunch is looking a little weak sauce – I think I may throw an apple or some carrots and almond butter (muwahaha) in my lunch bag to round this out a little better. Need those healthy fats!
Today’s going to be a busy one, but I’m planning on going to a weight lifting class after work tonight. 
Someone asked me this weekend, after I said how torturous level 1 on the 30 Day Shred is, how come I couldn’t do level 2 or 3? The truth is, level 2 & 3′s cardio and ab work is fine and dandy – but the lifting portions, kill me!
One of my New Year’s resolutions was to incorporate more weight lifting into my workouts, which I have, but it’s a slow and steady race for me. Trust me, I do have my sights set on level 2 & 3 (I’ve actually never even tried 3!) and I’ll get there someday! 
How often do you lift weights?
Time to get this show on the road – see ya’!
~~~~~
Did you participate in any high school sports or activities?
I saw the local high school cross country team chugging along on the side of the road as I was coming home from work yesterday, which made me think of this. I was involved in the dance team – 5am practices every day of the week!! 
Good think I loved it!
I love the texture of chia’s too, especially in my oats.
I lift usually 4-5 days a week, just depending on my mood or week. But I’ve lifted for over 10 years so I have a pretty strong muscle base. Sometimes I have gone months with lifting 1-2 days a week and haven’t seen any muscle loss, so I think everyone is just different. And I danced all through my schooling years, and was also a cheerleader.
Are you eating the TJ’s roasted with flax AB? Because I am obsessed with that stuff!
I was really impressed with Ali and Gia last night. I thought they both held it together in a tough situation. I was especially impressed when Ali apologized for being rude to Vienna (I still think she’s awful). Way to take the high road girls! Team Ali for the next Bachelorette! Oh and Rozalyn needs a heavy dose of reality. I’m just saying….
I’ve gotta start using my chia seeds! They’re SO GOOD in green smoothies, and I’ve just started drinking them again…
I’ll hook you up with AB for real this time…and i won’t put the hubby in charge of shipping!
I swam all through high school, and haven’t been back in a pool since! I don’t miss the chlorine at all!!
I really really want to get hold of some chia seeds – everyone seems to be banging on about how good they are in oatmeal, I want in on some of it!
I didn’t do much sports in high school, I hated them!! I did lots of riding outside of it though (and still do!). I always always wanted to do cheerleading, but they don’t do it in English high schools
I love your food for the day btw! The oats look fantabulous
i need to try these chia seeds! they are everywhere on your blog!
i was an all sport-er in high school. volleyball, basketball, track, & softball…obviously it was a small town iowa high school!
I honestly think rozlyn got the short end of the stick — basically I don’t like her, but i do think she didn’t cross the line of being physical — it was a whole lot of editing. the whole women tell all was ‘effed up!
i did volleyball for 4 years — i almost quit my senior year because of the coach. but man if i knew i had no peripheral vision back then — i didn’t find out til i was 21. I would’ve played 10x better!
Yay for strength training! You’ll be up to level 2 and 3 in no time girl
Level 2 is actually a bit harder than level 3 in my opinion, don’t know why but I’ve heard others say that as well? Anywho, have a great day! 
I hate to say this because I know everyone in the foodblog universe just loves it, but I can’t get on the almond butter train. You can have my jar from Trader Joe’s. I have half of it left and find I’m forcing myself to eat it with the hopes it will grow on me. Well, it’s been months and it hasn’t.
I try to lift weights 3 times a week. Lifting heavy is the best thing I ever did for myself. Totally transformed my body (I have a butt now!) and it burns tons of calories–really, I have the Bodybugg to prove it.
I lift weights 2x/week right now because I have to scale back on a lot of my workouts while trying to get pregnant. Before that it would usually be 4x/week. I love lifting weights!
I did cheerleading and cross country in high school. It’s funny how now running is one of my least favorite workouts. LOL
PS – I love your blog and gave it an award on my blog
OMG, thanks for the Bach recap! i have missed it the past couple weeks, so i enjoying hearing that Ros is still crazy
i am so bad at weightlifting, which is why i do yoga. i have never been more toned or strong in my life!
i figure skated! and yes, my high school had a figure skating team! so random, right?
have a fab day ms. kristin!
I was a dance team girl too! I also ran track and played basketball and volleyball at some point during high school. I didn’t realize what good shape i was in!
I just started circuit training via Jillian Michaels’ Making the Cut, and it’s brutal! (i’ve been posting about it on my page)
distancebetweenfriends.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for turning me on to overnight oats! I’ve had them every day since Saturday. Last night I picked up some Chia Seeds to try in it for today. 2 Thumbs Up!!!
Have a Happy Day!
what is in your tuna salad?? it looks really good!
I want chia seeds. The end.
Umm I don’t do weights anymore. Bad. I went on a Body Pump kick last year but now I just run and do yoga – luckily yoga builds strength like woah but I have noticed some tonal loss since I stopped those classes.
I was a music geek so I was in band and chorus and all the science teams. You couldn’t beg me to play sports.
Like RunEatRepeat, I’m addicted to AB. But I’m addicted to the new AB + Flax from TJ’s. First it was their regular PB + Flax…now they’ve really reeled me in with the AB+ Flax!!! ARGGGHHH!!! Must practice moderation! =0)
I feel like I need to start watching the Bachelor more…it’s the basis of so many convos!
I was a cheerleader back in high school. Secretly, I wanted to be a softball player but I was terrible
You’re oats look great! Mmmm. In high school, I was the captain of the volleyball team and also in Marching Band.
I agree with Stephanie above on level 2 being harder than 3. Level 3 has less weights and more plyometrics, still hard though! You should give it a try.
I CANT WAIT to make that tuna salad!! Tuna is one of my FAVORITE things and I always skip it because of the mayo. I have however, made it with roasted red pepper hummus. Excellent!!!
As for sports, I was a cheerleader!
And most importantly, I am SHOCKED by Rozalyn. Just fess up to what you did and people would respect you much more. Her “Are you kidding me” faces had me cracking up! They clearly said” Im lying”. Allie is my absolute favorite. She had me upset with her for a few episodes since she was into everyone elses business, but I really hoped that they woudl be together in the end. I can really see them together more than the two he has left. Secretly, I am hoping he doesnt pick Vienna or Tenely (even though I like Ten) and goes back for Allie. You could see in his eyes how much he still cared for her. I cant wait for next monday!!!
I was so appalled by Rosalyn last night. I literally gasped out loud when she said, “I swear on my child’s life…” You just don’t ever say something like that — EVER! And then when she was trying to drag everyone down w/ her. Insinuating that Ella had been inappropriate & even throwing Chris under the bus at the end. She was just awful!
I try to weight train for muscle maintenance… it seems to be working, so I’m happy!
In highschool I ran track and was a cheerleader
All of your food in this post looks so yummy. I love tuna salad, so much!! And pineapple too! I miss fresh fruit
I was involved in the cross country team all 4 years of school, then we had a frostbite club that was a running club to run during the winter. That I participated in my freshmen and senior year, same with track. Except one year of track I sprinted and the other I did distance!
I hope to make the college cross country team next year!!
The level 3 shred has a ton of jump training in it. I consider myself to be in pretty good shape, but I can barely do it. I stick to 1 & 2 & then do other random strength workouts, too, like the Body by Glamour arms & abs or glutes & legs.
I was a runner (cross & track) in high school. I was never coordinated enough to do any sport with a ball in it
I participated in – and sucked at – pretty much everything
Running, Volleyball, Basketball, Softball, and Cheerleading.
I’ve never heard of chia seeds, I shall try it out sometime! This really looks like a breakfast of champions! =)
No sports here! This might sound crazy but I really like grapes in my tuna salad. I guess it’s not that different than apples probably.
I was able to go to a TJ’s this weekend while I was in Nashville and made sure to pick up some TJ’s AB!! Made me think of you! Haha
I try to lift weights about 2-3X/week. I am actually really starting to enjoy it and love doing Circuit Training or Bootcamp workouts so I can get my cardio and strength in!!
I played soccer and softball in high school! Loved soccer much more!
Your tuna salad looks amazing! I like the idea of adding capers. I’m gonna have to give that a try. Tuna salad sandwiches are a staple food for me, and I love trying different concoctions.
I ran cross-country and track in high school (and now in college). I also swam competitively during the summer.
I’m not real good about weight lifting(I wish I was). I prefer to do core and ab workouts instead.
I played volleyball for the first 3 years of high school, then switched to cross country my senior year (and LOVED it!). I also ran middle-distances (400s & 800s) in track all four years. Before you think I’m some kind of super-athlete, you should know that my high school was pretty small (42 in my graduating class!).
I need to be better about strength training. All I do is a little yoga, and a few PT-type excercises for my knees as prescribed by my chiropractor. I’m thinking after my half marathons this spring, I’ll get back in the weight room.
I played basketball and volleybal. I wish I would’ve run cross country. I know I would’ve loved it! I also wish I was talented enough to be a cheerleader. Although I can’t dance worth a darn, I just think cheerleading competitions look so fun!
i MUST try chia seeds ASAP!
it was very stressful-we competed for state every year and had practice atleast 4 or 5 hrs a day
i was a cheerleader
When I first started 30 Day Shred, level 1 kicked my booty..now I can do all 3 levels in a row..I love Jillian !!
You have to admit, Rozlyn shot a great one back at Chris about why they fired the crew guy (Chris was hitting on his wife in NZ..).
I must’ve felt in high school that I didn’t want to regret not playing a certain sport.. so I played them all. My main sports were soccer, ice hockey and fastpitch softball, but I also had a number seasons where I did two sports a season – volleyball, basketball and track. It worked out (sadly) because of practice and game scheduling for the new sports for girls were after the boys (soccer, hockey and softball)…
Your chia oats look so good! The cinnamon looks like turmeric!
I ran xc, indoor track and outdoor track from 7th grade to 11th grade. I almost went to states for the 2 mile, then…. SNAP. bad times..
I don’t lift weights because I hate it so. I really need to work on that!!
I always freak out thinking I added chili powder to some of my yogurt mixes too! Haha, they are the exact same color and I have the same brand of the two spices so I definitely do the momentary gasping too
I need to try chia seeeeds!!
Tj’s Albond Butter–I think I made out with today. No joke. I just couldn’t help myself. It is a serious affair. I can’t get enough of that stuff!
I haven’t found chia seeds here on Okinawa yet, but I’m excited to try them some time. In high school I played soccer and was in the marching band. I loved both. I continued with soccer after high school and then switched over to ultimate frisbee. I recently started swimming on a Master’s team and am really enjoying it.
I was a swimmer in high school and haven’t been in the pool in sooo long. It bums me out! What’s in that tuna?? I clicked the link but couldn’t find it..
WHERE are you getting your chia seeds? I’ve been hunting around for them everywhere in stores, but cannot seem to locate a stash! Such a sad day
I’ve always kinda liked Allie and her personality, but was kinda disappointed in the way that she handled the Vienna bashing (not that I’m pro-Vienna, cause I’m not, I’m just not pro-gossip and being caddy). I was so impressed that she was big enough to admit that she was wrong, and actually defend Vienna against the tabloids… what a change. Now Allie and Tenley are my favorites… I’d totally be friends with either of them!
I lift weights 2-5 days a week, depending on my social calendar for the week. I do it with my hubby, and we do a different muscle group every day, and 3-4 exercises per muscle group, with 4 sets, of 15 reps for each exercise.
And no, I didn’t play any high school sports, I wasn’t athletic, or into competition, weight lifting, or cardio until college. I did dance from when I was 5, all the way through college though, so I wasn’t a total couch potato.